Survey VehicleVarious. Most recently a module of the General Social Survey. Data items below relate to the 2006 module, which included a more detailed set of questions about family and community involvement, which relates most directly to voluntary work.

Data Collection MethodSelf–complete mail–back or collector gathered form, questions on volunteering, etc, asked of persons aged 15 years and over. Completed as a household form, so individuals may not be reporting their own data, and may be reported by others.

Data Collection MethodSurvey was conducted over four 13 day periods in 2006, from persons living in private dwellings. Information was collected partially based on interview (with an adult) and also by self completion diaries completed by all persons in the household aged 15 years and over.

Recent Enumerations1995, 2000 (MPS)2002, 2006 (GSS)

Recent Enumerations1995, 2000, 2006. The Census is run every 5 years.

Recent Enumerations1992, 1997, 2006

NPI Concepts CoveredVoluntary work completed by the respondent in the previous 12 months, for up to three volunteer episodes. Only includes voluntary work done in Australia. Information collected includes whether volunteers provided time, service or skills. Work for the dole schemes or community work completed under mutual obligation episodes were excluded. Further questions covered work experience or unpaid work trials, community service orders, student placements, and emergency work during industrial disputes were asked to determine inclusion. Excludes persons directed to volunteer.

NPI Concepts CoveredVoluntary work completed by the respondent in the previous 12 months (Only includes voluntary work done in Australia).

NPI Concepts CoveredVoluntary work completed by the respondent in the previous 12 months (Only includes voluntary work done in Australia).

The modules on family and community involvement and voluntary work cover:Active involvement in groups-

provision of unpaid assistance

civic and community activities.

Whether did unpaid work for an organisation in the last 12 months-

reasons for volunteering

length of time since first volunteered

number of organisations volunteered for

total annual hours of voluntary work

sector type of organisations

type of voluntary activity

group which organisation aims to assistance

expenses related to voluntary work

financial donations made to organisations.

Whether respondent had been involved in organised activities or done voluntary work as a child-

whether the respondent's parents had volunteered.

Example of NPI Relevant Items:Unpaid assistance to a person with a disabilityUnpaid child careUnpaid domestic work: number of hoursVoluntary work for an organisation or group

The Survey Covers:Unpaid work in the household and the breakdown of this work between men and women and by life stageTime spent on voluntary work, caring and other unpaid community workDaily life patterns and support needs of various groups such as older persons, unemployed persons and persons with disabilitiesLabour force issues such as the composition of the hours of paid work for men and women and barriers to workforce participation

Socio–demographic Data:AgeSexSocial marital statusRelationship in householdState/territoryRemoteness areasCountry of birthMain language other than English spoken at home etc.

Other data on a range of social topics:Health and disabilityHousingEducationEmploymentIncomeFinancial stressAssets and liabilitiesInformation technologyTransport, crime and feelings of safetyAttendance at cultural and leisure venuesSports attendance and participationSocial networks and social participationFamily and community involvementVoluntary workVisa category

Socio–demographic Data:AgeHousehold structure and characteristicsSexState/territoryRemotenessIndex of relative socio–economic disadvantageEmployment and incomeEducational attainmentCountry of birthYear of arrivalLanguage spoken and proficiency in spoken EnglishHealth status

The survey also includes information about caring, community participation, fitness and health activities, travel, use of technology and outsourcing of domestic tasks. For example, child care details, trust in others, information about aged persons and disability, household use of technology and labour saving devices, use of services and outsourcing.